"TIGRAN SARKISIAN IS NOT CONSIDERED AN AUTHORITY"

A1+
11 April, 2008

"President Serzh Sarkissian appointed Tigran Sarkissian Armenia’s PM
taking into consideration the opinion of international organisations,"
Republican MP Rafik Petrossian said during today’s parliamentary
briefings.

In reply to A1+’s question why the Republican Party of Armenia
(HHK) hadn’t named an alternative candidate and confirmed Tigran
Sarkissian’s candidature unanimously, Rafik Petrossian said after
long discussions state thinking prevailed and the appointment of a
professional was endorsed.

The Republican underlined that the appointment is determined by
the fact that our country cooperates with international financial
organisations, has relations, commitments and programmes, and since
Tigran Sarkissian has considerable experience as President of the
Central Bank, his appointment was considered as expedient. Rafik
Petrossian reminded that "Armenia receive as much funds from the
international financial organisations as our state budget."

It is due to mention that the Coalition members cherish great hopes
from Tigran Sarkissian. For instance, the Orinats Yerkir Party (OYP)
highly assesses Tigran Sarkissian’s professional skills.

The Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) doesn’t hurry with
assessments. "Let’s work and see," BHK MP Naira Zohrabian said. He
reminded that under the Constitution, the prime minister is appointed
by parliamentarian majority and the BHK has nothing to do with it.

With regard to the newly appointed PM, Leader of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun
faction Hrair Karapetian said, "The Prime Minister’s party affiliation
doesn’t matter." He noted that the Prime Minister was nominated by
the HHK which enjoys majority in the parliament.

"The PM’s party affiliation isn’t essential today when parties ally
rather on the bases of interests than on ideological similarities,"
said "Heritage" member Stepan Safarian. He says Tigran Sarkissian is
professional in his sphere, he has always answered the questions raised
in the NA in detail, he is a good person and has constructive approach
to new ideas. But in the Armenian perception, Tigran Sarkissian is not
strong enough to systematize the activity of the four-fold Coalition
Government and to shoulder collective responsibility. "He is not an
"authority," added Larissa Alaverdian.

She finds Serzh Sarkissian an "authority" though the latter doesn’t
enjoy the confidence of all public strata.